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Houston, Texas (Friday, August 21, 2009) – The countdown is nearly over with former IBF World Junior Welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KOs) and former IBF World Lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (34-2, 17 KOs) facing off at the Toyota Center in Houston tomorrow night. Airing live on HBO Boxing After Dark, these two former title holders will fight in the main event of the telecast.

“We're both strong fighters, and I think it's going to be a tough fight,” Malignaggi recently commented in an interview with ESPN. “One thing with Diaz is that he is a very strong, physical fighter who puts a lot of pressure on you, so you have to be careful all the time. I don't think it'll matter, though. There is no significant difference between us.”

A win in this super fight would elevate Malignaggi back into title contention, but the speedy puncher from Brooklyn is careful not to overlook the task at hand.

“Right now, the only guy in my mind is Juan Diaz,” he said. “I have to worry about him and his style. And I also have other things to worry about because the fight is in Texas, and they are using a judge from Texas and two from California, one of which is Mexican. So I have to be ready to put on a good performance.”

This Saturday night card will go live to HBO at 9:45 p.m. with two more bouts on the undercard. Before the main event, Malcolm Klassen will box Robert Guerrero and Danny Jacobs fights Ishe Smith. Bob Papa, Lennox Lewis and Max Kellerman will be ringside for the event, and the telecast will be available in HDTV and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.